Night of New Works is an extension of Umbrella Collective’s mission. We value collaboration, fresh voices and new plays, and we want to create a supportive structure to make those things happen.

​Through the Night of New Works series, Umbrella Collective offers support and guidance to artists interested in creating new work for the stage and experimenting with collaborative processes. These three projects will receive artistic and production support from Umbrella Collective members and collaborators.

“We're building a playground for artists to dream, take risks, and try something for the first time," says Managing Director Hannah K. Holman. "We want new work makers to feel supported at every turn, and we're excited to help this cohort add to their collaborative toolboxes. We can't wait to see these projects come to life!"

Q: What are the "Final Presentations"?A: Each project will present up to 20 minutes of their work-in-progress each night (September 10, 11, and 12). This might look like a staged reading with scripts, a movement exploration, a handful of songs with stage directions, any combination of these things, or something else entirely! The only criteria are that it's new and it's not finished! Exciting!

Q: What are the "Audience Conversations"?A: Umbrella Collective loves feedback. We like to bring big ideas and complicated questions to the audience par-baked to give YOU a chance to help shape the future of the work. After you see the work, we'll ask questions like: What moments stuck with you? What did you want to see more of? What did you want to see differently? What questions did you have? (and more!) The conversation will likely start around 9:00 PM and last for about 30-40 minutes.

Q: Do I have to talk in front of people?A: All audience members are invited to participate in the conversation, or just listen and write down thoughts on the surveys we provide! We welcome feedback in whatever way is most comfortable to you. You can also always email us at hello@UmbrellaCo.org

Q: Which projects will be presenting which night?A: This one's easy! Each of the three projects will be presenting each night!

ABOUT THE WORKS

FRIGID

A new work-in-progress by Beth Ann Powers, with C Gumbiner, Lily Noonan, Kjer Whiting, Courtney Stirn, and Eva Gemlo​​FRIGID examines the history and evolution of the frigid woman: what we can learn from her existence, and how she is manifested in today’s world. This exploration of identity, turns a queer lens on frigidity, examining how sexuality, queerness, trans-ness, and gender non-conformity are all intertwined in the history of this label. ​

Beth Ann Powers is a Playwright, Performer, and Theater Artist based in the Twin Cities. Beth Ann received a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota in 2017. She co-founded Slap Happy Studios, a local production company for which she has served as the artistic director since 2015. Beth Ann’s work as a playwright has been presented by the University of Minnesota, The Playwrights Center, Phoenix Theater, Theater Unbound, Raw Sugar, and Little Life Boats. She has also worked around the Twin Cities as a performer with such companies as The Band Group, 20% Theater Company, Wildwood Theater, and Classical Actors Ensemble. As an artist Beth Ann considers her work to be largely collaborative and focuses on social justice, equity, representation, and inclusion.

SPOOK

A new work-in-progress by Ricardo Beaird and Suzanne Victoria Cross, with Natavia Lewis, Taz Song'ony, Marcela Michelle-Mobama, and Kat Purcell​

Spirits, science, and senses. We follow a dressmaker whose family questions the validity of her mirror-touch synesthesia (a rare condition where one sees someone being touched and feels that sensation). SPOOK is a ghost story that personifies the gifts and curses of black ancestry. ​

Ricardo Beaird is an actor, director, playwright, and teaching artist. He relocated to the Twin Cities from Nashville, TN to work as an Actor-Educator with CLIMB Theatre. He is a company member of GTC Dramatic Dialogues, an interactive workshop collective that facilitates conversations around Date Rape, Diversity, and Substance Abuse on college campuses. Ricardo has performed and taught with several theatre companies around town including Pangea World Theater, Theater Latte Da, Penumbra Theatre, Park Square Theater, Red Eye Theater, and Yellow Tree Theater.

Suzanne Victoria Cross was born and raised in North Minneapolis, graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BA in Theater and Community Psychology. Suzanne is a local actor and teaching artist in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area. She has worked with many local theater companies including touring with CLIMB Theatre as an Actor-Educator, Penumbra Theatre Company’s Education and Outreach Program, Lyric Arts Academy, Southern Theater, and Teatro del Pueblo. Suzanne is currently the Local Coordinator and Resident Stage Manager for Pangea World Theater.

FOILED

A self-declared humanitarian, eager to right the wrongs of the world, lands her dream job. When ‘other duties as assigned’ entangle her in a probable government conspiracy, her perceptions of reality begin to unravel. FOILED examines the concept of certainty in a fraught, post-truth America, challenging audiences to consider the fragility of their own assumptions.​

Jex Arzayus made their debut playing brother Einhart in “Pope Joan the First Transgender Pope,” and is proud to be back at the Fringe working with Womyn's Mysteries this year. Jex was most recently seen as Damis in “Tart” by The BAND Group at Bryant Lake Bowl and will be playing the judge in “American Terror The Trials of Jeffrey Dahmer” this fall at the Crane Theater. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jex has called Minneapolis home for the past 11 years. Jex is a middle school/high school art teacher in Maple Grove and recently opened a bike powered vegan food cart. Jex takes improv classes at Huge Theater, is a martial artist and a new crossfitter. Jex found their passion for acting less than a year ago and is hooked.

Sabrina Crews grew up on the Twin Cities stage, performing in a range of venues from Children’s Theatre Company to the Southern Theater to Hennepin Center for the Arts. At ages nine and ten, she toured 11 states and Canada as a full-time actor with Troupe America, which ignited her love for travel and marathon road trips. Now she’s a full-time content writer for the Center for Victims of Torture, an international nonprofit headquartered in Minnesota that provides mental health care to refugees and asylum seekers. She’s ecstatic about fusing her theatrical experience and writing background for Umbrella Collective’s Night of New Works!

​Steven Michael Hall is a St. Paul-based writer who has dedicated his personal and professional life to advancing the missions of nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities by fostering lasting partnerships, deepening community connections, and generating sustainable funding. Steven previously worked at the International Education Center and the Center for Victims of Torture, both serving the Minnesota immigrant and refugee community. Today, Steven manages corporate and foundation relations and seeks funding in support of exhibitions and programs at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. You will not remember Steven from his bit parts in dozens of suburban community theater productions in the mid-late 1990s. Umbrella Collective’s Night of New Works marks Steven’s triumphant return to the world of theater.